Also, don’t miss this! – Dan Unmasked has received several Awards, Honors & Selections
The reviews are in and everyone is loving Dan Unmasked!
“I loved how everything came together. Between baseball, writing the comic, the relationships between Dan and the friends and his life, and Dan and the adults in his life, and the love of the comic itself, it’s amazing how fluid the storyline became. . . .This is a must add for 4th grade and up libraries.” – Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook
“This might be my Cybils Award nomination for 2020. There’s sports and comic books, which kids will love, but also a very deep and moving portrayal of a difficult and emotional epoch in a young man’s life. Combined with the cover (a baseball mitt AND superheroes!), this will be a great choice for readers who want a fast-paced, interesting book that also sneaks in some emotional depth.” – Ms. Yingling Reads
“Dan Unmasked is a fast and engrossing read. I finished it in one sitting. It’s a great crossover for readers with varying interests, and I would have no problem recommending it to a plethora of middle readers.” – Cracking the Cover
“In this debut novel for Negron, he keeps several story lines moving along seamlessly, sometimes throwing curve balls that keep readers guessing about how things will turn out. But he never loses sight of Dan’s coming of age story. . . . An engrossing read that is satisfying to the end.” – Mother Daughter Book Club
“It’s how all of these mini-plots come together that make a heartfelt statement about grief, family, and friendship. You may be seeing this title in many children lit awards this year.” – Always in the Middle
“An impressive debut. . . .Readers will find a lot to relate to as Dan navigates the guilt, hurt, feelings of helplessness and grief. ” – proseandkahn blog
“This is Negron’s debut novel and it’s a very strong one, I’ve seen it compared to John David Anderson’s work and totally can see this. I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes next.” – Log Cabin Library
“Dan Unmasked is an excellent story about hope, friendship, family, and learning to come to terms with the things we cannot change. Ultimately, what really got me was the strength of Dan’s magical thinking, which was as strong as his feelings for his best friend.” – Randomly Reading
“…stirringly hits every despairing low and thrilling high of a sports movie.” – Kirkus Reviews
Guest posts, interviews and videos
- Launch Party recording
- An Indies Introduce Q&A with the American Booksellers Association
- Writing Villains from Middle Ground Book Fest
- Five Interesting Things I Learned While Writing Dan Unmasked – YA (and Kids!) Books Central
- Dan Unmasking Heroes with Drew Durham of Books Inc Palo Alto
- Chris Negron and Dan Unmasked with Natalie Aguirre of Literary Rambles
News coverage
- This local author’s debut book is being released by HarperCollins – Forsyth County News
- Padres Easter eggs hidden in new book “Dan Unmasked” – San Diego Downtown News
Bookstores with signed copies
- Foxtale Bookshoppe
- Read It Again
- Books Inc. Palo Alto (Bookplates)
- If you’re a bookstore and want to be added to this list, please contact me!
Order Dan Unmasked using your any of the other major retailers below:
Early praise…
“<Dan Unmasked> would make a great read or read aloud for 4th-7th graders, especially sports ⚾️ and comic book fans.This stellar, heartwarming, reassuring, layered, childhood-affirming, and brave story will awaken even the most reluctant hero in all readers.” – alohamoraopenabook
“This stellar, heartwarming, reassuring, layered, childhood-affirming, and brave story will awaken even the most reluctant hero in all readers.” – Drew Durham, Books Inc. Palo Alto
“Dan Unmasked is a grand slam of a debut: timeless, moving, and filled to the brim with heart. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
— Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“Dan Unmasked is about sports and comics but also about the complicated nature of guilt and grief and the healing power of community. A beautiful new addition to the middle grade canon.”
— Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound
“An emotional, heartfelt and utterly original story of friendship…The baseball scenes shine…A classic.” – Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of BURYING THE HONEYSUCKLE GIRLS
“Impossible to forget, DAN UNMASKED should fly high on your radar….” – Band of MG Books
“Dan Unmasked is one of those books you want to hug when you finish.” – Laura Gardner, for @KidLitExchange
“Dan Unmasked is all a middle grade novel should be: it is full of heart, courage and growth.” – Risa Nyman, author of SWALLOWED BY A SECRET
“DAN UNMASKED needs to be on every library shelf!” – Kit Lit Exchange
And more on Goodreads…!
- “…a beautiful story about friendship, teamwork, and healing wounds through art and creativity.”
- “The ending is deeply touching.”
- “I especially loved the ending!”
- “…packed with comic book references and I geeked out in every one of them.”
- “…the premise of this book was very clever and well-executed, and the writing was top-notch.”
- “A story of guilt, grief, and ultimately, love…”
Chris Negron 